21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times."
Matthew 18:21-22 ESV
Unlimited forgiveness. Unending exoneration. Absolution without termination. Jesus is telling Peter that we are to forgive our brother's sin against us as often as is needed. Scripture does not tell us of Peter's reaction, but I can imagine a slight eye roll and then perhaps a mental inventory of those who were a constant thorn in Peter's side.
When we think of the level of forgiveness Jesus taught, it can be daunting. But perhaps it is easier if we self-reflect on the countless number of times we need forgiveness from our heavenly Father each day. Often for the same sin we have confessed multiple times in the past. For most of us repetition is the word of the day when it comes to sin. Not intentional. Not with relish. But those habitual, almost unconscious sin that even with prayer and supplication continue to be a part of our lives. We see improvement, but not extinction.
If we expect to be forgiven for our continual sin life, which we are if we are a Christian in the true sense of the word, how presumptuous of us it would be not to offer that same 7x77 forgiveness to those who sin against us.
God doesn't deal in double standards. We must be willing to give what we expect to get.
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